Strip punching machine



Aug. '18, 1942. H. a. LINDSAY STRIP PUNCHING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1941 V INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 18, 1942 STRIP PUNCHING MACHINE Harvey B: Lindsay, Evanston, Ill., assignor to.

Dry-Zero Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application June 4, 1941, Serial No. 396,533

10 Claims;

This invention relates; to improvements in multiple punch presses and similar machines for forming holes, cuts, indentations, or similar'effects in metal strips, bars, plates or the'like, in which machines a plurality of individual punch cages or like tool-supporting structures are mounted for adjustment along; the frameof the machine so as to produce a plurality of such holes or elfects'simultaneously at predetermined, exactly spaced-intervals.

The principal object of this invention isgreat- 1y to speed set-ups, or changes of arrangement or spacing of such cages along themachine, by eliminating the necessity heretofore of removing from the machine eachof such of. said-cages as in the next set-up are not required: to be oper ative, and subsequently putting cages back: in the machine when for the following set-up an increased number thereof are required to be operative.

I find that set-up time canbe reduced as-much as 75% by allowing the maximum number of: cages to remain in the press rail, orbed, and selectively spacing (when necessary) and operating only thosedesired to be operative by means of the key bar hereinafter described. This'also reduces opportunity for errors in set-up practically to nil.

A further object of the invention is to providean improved means fer assisting in the adjustment of the individual punch cages at predetermined, properly spaced intervals whenever the cages are to be reset, said means, including a master or key bar whichalsoserves as the means for selectively operating, as stated above, only such cages as may be required forthe particularcage settings calledfor by saidmaster or keybar.

A further objectof the inventionis to provide a novel combination of cages, some of which have single or individual toolswhich are independently adjustable toward and away from each other, while other cages have a pluralitylengths ofmetal strip, as determined by the particular master or key bar being used, may be punched or. otherwise operated uponsimultaneouslyf.v As heretofore constructed, multiple punch presses of the character above mentionedhave usually included an elongated base frame on which is' mounted'a plurality of individual punch cages, each carrying bothmale and female parts of the punch. and all arranged for simultaneous operation bya single elongated-presser bar. The cages have been slidable along the baseframe with means for adjusting their lateral spacings by a certain standard unitary length, as'for instance by'on'e-halfinch or multiple thereof.

United States Patent No; 2,209,407 illustrates'a machine of this character, including a plurality of tool cages and means for adjusting and look-- ing them simultaneously at predetermined spaced intervals. I't'will be observed, however, that with machines. of this general character considerable manipulation is required to reset the cages, that the operator must make careful measurements as to their preliminary or rough adjustments, and must remove or insert separate individualcages along the frame so as to havethe exact number ofcages required for each job.

In carrying out my invention I provide anim-provedconstruction and arrangement including a plurality ofcages (preferably equal tothe maximum number,- of cages likely to be needed in any punching schedule) that are individually adjustable along the frame, together with a' plurality of individual-master or key bars, eachmade up in advance in accordance with a specific striplength and hole spacing required; Each master or key bar is provided with a plurality of lugs projecting from one face thereof, which lugs are exactly spaced at the predetermined intervals tobe punched in the strip material, or the like. Whenever it-is desired to're-' set the: cagesinzaccordance with any-oneof these master bars, thelatter, is placed along theframeand is.used to indicate a: roughspacing adjust-- ment of the cages, wherein one cage will be moved toposition opposite each one of the-lugs on the masterbar, the intermediate cages nothaving tobe removed as; they will not be operative. Thereafter themaster bar is placed along the top of the cages, so that the lugs'selectively engage only the plungers-of those cages that are to be' used. The cages are finally locked in'their exact spaced relationship by suitable means.

As afurther feature of my invention, it will.

be observedthatthe-master or key bar may have an end-position means especially adaptedto c0 operate with a special form of cage having two or more punches arranged at fixed spaced relationship. These multiple cages are especially adapted to produce a pair of holes spaced apart a standard distance, at adjacent ends of the final metal strip, as desired in many instances, whereas the individual or single punch cages between the multiple punch cages are especially adapted to form intermediate, individual holes which are preferably spaced at relatively greater intervals than the standard end-holes.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front view of a multiple press constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged bottom view of a master or key bar of the kind suitable for use with the multiple press shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section of the machine shown in Fig. 1, showing the cage in locked position on the base rail and with the master bar in cooperating engagement with the punch member carried by said cage.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing one end of the master bar illustrated in Fig. 2.

Referring now to details of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing: l indicates generally the frame of a punch press having an elongated cooperating ram 9, and a U-shaped rail member II with upstanding rear and front channel members 12 and I3 between which is slidably mounted a plurality of individual cages l4 and a plurality of multiple cages [4 I i Each individual cage includes a base I5 on which is mounted a female die member it normally spaced below a male punch member or plunger H. The male punch member or plunger I! is slidable in a vertically disposed guide l8 mounted on a cross member l9 supported at opposite ends by front and rear plates and 2| connected to the base member I5, so as to form an open frame for receiving the strip of metal to be operated upon, herein indicated at 22. The plunger ll extends above the guide l8 and has an enlarged head 23 with a coil spring 24 interposed between said head and said guide so that normally said plunger is withdrawn upwardly from the die l6, as shown in Fig. 3.

Each of the cages is adapted to be individually locked against lateral displacement along the base rail H by means of one or more removable locking pins 25 each having a tapered end 23 adapted to fit in an opposed pair of holes 21 formed in the front and rear channel members l2 and I3 of said base rail, and also extending through the upright side walls 20 and 2| of the cage. A plurality of such holes 21, 2'! are formed at equispaced intervals along theentire length of the base rail (for instance at intervals at /2 inch) as indicated in Fig. 1, so that said cages may be accurately adjusted at various multiples of such intervals, as will hereinafter appear.

The multiple cages I l M may be substantially the same as the individual cages l4, excepting that they are substantially longer in the direction of the base rail so as to accommodate at least one pair of dies mounted thereon. Each pair of dies on said multiple cages M are preferably arranged at a relatively small interval so as to form two holes at a standard spacing, for use at the opposite ends of each severed metal strip, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The multiple cages at the extreme ends of the machine, however, only require a single pair of dies, to form the two end holes in the outer end of the metal illustrates one of a large number of such key bars that may be made up in advance to determine various lengths and spacings of the holes to be formed in different metal strips. The key bar here shown for illustrative purposes consists of an elongated flat strip of metal 3| having a plurality of lugs or bosses 32, 32 fixed along one face thereof at the exact spacing intervals desired for the particular length and punching arrangement of strip to be punched. Each lug or boss 32 has a cylindrical recess 33 at its end adapted to fit over and receive a head 23 of a plunger I! in close fitting engagement. A locating hole 34 is formed through the bar near opposite ends thereof. These holes are adapted to cooperate With locating pins 35, 35 provided on the multiple l I cages 14*, I4, as will presently appear. In the form of key bar shown herein, the two lugs 32, 32 nearest the ends of the bar are located at a standardized distance fairly close together, as for instance 2 inches between centers, as is desirable in many instances where the end holes in the strip are to be used for connecting frame members thereto. The intermediate lugs are spaced at a greater interval from each other, but always at a multiple of the distance between adjacent locking holes 21, 21 formed along the base rail as will also the spacing and number of the in-' termediate lugs 32 thereon, depending upon the particular cage settings desired.

The use and operation of the apparatus hereinabove described will now be understood as follows:

The punch press is initially set up with a large number of cages of both the single and multiple type mounted along the base rail l I, the number of cages usually being sufficient to produce approximately the maximum number of holes that the machine may be called upon to produce.

Assuming that the work, comprising the continuous metal strip 22, is to be punched to form a plurality of separate metal strips similar to that determined by the key bar 30 shown in Fig 2, one of said key bars is placed along the front of the cages with its end positioning hole 34 registering with the positioning pin 35 on the multiple cage M at the extreme end of the machine. An adjacent multiple cage I4 is then slid along the base rail so that its positioning pin is in registry with the end-positioning hole at the opposite end of the key bar. The positioning pins on the two multiple cages may then be engaged in the end holes of the key bar, preferably with the latter bar inverted so that the lugs are facing upwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Certain of the single cages are then slid along the base rail so as to be given a rough preliminary adjustment, with one plunger head opposite each one of the intermediate lugs 32 of the key bar. As the several plungers are thus brought into rough alignment with the lugs on the key bar, their respective cages can be locked accurately in placeby their pins 25. Said pins being tapered as shown, act to give a final-adjustment f the cages at the exact spaced intervals desired The key bar is then removed from the positioning pins 35 on the front of the cages and is transferred in inverted position to the top of the plungers I! so that the plunger heads 23 of those cages that have been previously locked into desired spaced relationship as 'above described, Will be engaged within the recesses 33 of the respective lugs 32 of the key bar. When, as usual, several separate strips are to be made simultaneously in accordance with other key bars, the rough adjustment, and final locking of other cages along the rail is repeated as before, utilizing other key bars (of either the same or of difierent pattern as desired) until a plurality of key bars are mounted in end to end relation along the tops of those plungers that may be required, and usually extending successively for substantially the full length of the base rail.

The machine is so arranged-that when the ram 9 is lowered its movement is limited so that it depresses all the key bars uniformly, moving the latter only a short distance which is sufficient to operate selectively the plungers with which the lugs on said bars are engaged, without operating the remaining plungers on the intermediate cages along the base rail, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Thus a large number of cages may remain along the rail at all times and without requiring removal or replacement when they are reset for different spacings.

It will be understood that the intermediate multiple cages M are primarily intended to be disposed at the point where work-strip 22 is to be provided with additional holes for subsequently fastening other members thereto, or where the continuous work-strip 22 is to be cut or severed along the line midway the ends of said multiple cages so as to form two separate strips. However, these multiple cages I l are not necessarily used at such severing position between adjacent ends of a final strip. In some instances, the multiple cages it may be employed in the same manner as in individual cages, by utilizing only one of their plungers. In other instances two or more plungers of a multiple cage can be employed intermediate the ends of a strip to form holes for an intermediate spreader or cross member, when desired.

Referring now more particularly to the preferred form of cage disclosed herein, it will be observed that the open frame arrangement with side walls 29 and 2| not only provides a substantial punch support permitting a continuous work-strip to be passed lengthwise through the machine as previously described, but that various inserts, such as blocks 40, 46 may be inserted between the side walls as required to position and guide work-strips of various widths and shapes during the punching operation, and to hold said strips down while the punch is being removed or stripped from the work.

In Fig. 3 a modified form of work-strip is indicated at 22 shown in dotted lines with its lateral margins in guiding engagement beneath the blocks 43, ill. Obviously the shape and size of these blocks will be varied to accommodate difierent shapes as required.

Although I have shown and described one particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but

that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a multiple tool machine, a base rail, a plurality of tool cages adjustable along said base rail, and a key bar having a plurality of lugs therealong at predetermined spaced intervals, said lugs including positive guiding means detachably engag-eable with said tool cages and' providing a fixed spacing means therefor at correspondingly predetermined intervals, and means for moving said key bar so as to operate said tool cages simultaneously.

2. In a multiple tool machine, a base rail, a plurality of tool cages, means including a tapered adjusting device for locking said tool cages alon said base rail in independently selective spaced relation to each other at predetermined equal intervals, and a key bar having a plurality of lugs fixed therealong at predetermined spaced intervals disposed at certain multiples of the aforesaid predetermined equal intervals, the lugs on said key bar being adapted to indicate a preli'minary rough adjustment of said tool cages along said base rail, and said lugs being detachably engageable with their respective tool cages so that the latter will be operated simultaneously by the movement of said key bar.

3. In combination with a multiple punch having a base rail, a plurality of punch cages slidably adjustable in independently selective spaced relation therealong, and a presser bar movable toward and away from said punch cages, means including a tapered locking device for adjustin said cages along said base rail on centers of predetermined equal intervals, and a key bar having operating members fixed therealong at predetermined spaced intervals, said key bar being adapted to be interposed between said presser bar and said punch cages with its operating members detachably engaged with said punch cages for selective operation thereof.

4. In combination with a multiple punch press having a base rail, a plurality of punch cages slidably adjustable in independently selective spaced relation therealong, a presser bar movable toward and away from said punch cages, means including a tapered locking device for adjusting said cages along said base rail on centers of predetermined equal intervals, and a key barhaving operating members fixed therealong at predetermined spaced intervals, said key bar being adapted to be interposed between said presser bar and said punch cages with its operating members detachably engaged with said cages for selective opera-. tion thereof, and the operating members on said key bar also being adapted to indicate a preliminary rough adjusting means for said punch cages before said cages are locked in position to be operatively engaged by said key bar.

5. In combination with a multiple punch press having a base rail, a plurality of punch cages slidably adjustable in independently spaced relation thereon, and a presser bar disposed along said base rail, certain of said punch cages having a single punch member carried thereby and certain other of said punch cages having a pair of punch members disposed at relatively short predetermined equal intervals, means for locking said punch cages along said rail in independently selective spaced relation to each other on centers of predetermined equal intervals, and a key bar adapted to indicate spacings of said cages at varying predetermined intervals forming multiples of the predetermined equal intervals aforesaid, said key bar having a plurality of operating members thereon spaced at such varying predetermined intervals and including a pair-of operating members at opposite ends thereof disposed at intervals corresponding with the pair of plunger members carried by said multiple punch cages, said key bar being adapted to have its operating members detachably engaged with correspondingly spaced plungers of said multiple and individual punch cages, and said key bar being arranged to be directly engaged by said presser bar so as to operate selectivelythe respective plungers en gaged by the operatingmembers on said key bar.

6. In combination'wi-th'a multiple punch press having a base rail, a plurality or punch cages slidably adjustable in independently spaced relation thereon, and a presser.bar disposed along 7 said base rail over said punch cages, certain of said punch cages having a single punch member carried thereby and certain otherof said punch cages having a" pair of punch members disposed at relatively short predetermined equal intervals, means for adjusting said tool cages along said rail in independently selective spaced relation'to each other on centers of predetermined equal intervals,

, and a key bar adapted to assist in spacing said cages at varying predetermined intervals forming multiples of :the predetermined equal intervals aforesaid, said key'bar. having a plurality of operating members thereon spaced at such varying predetermined intervals and including a pair of operating members at-opposite ends thereof disposed at intervals corresponding with the pair of plunger members carried by said multiple punch cages, said key bar being adapted to have its operating members detachably engaged with correspondingly spaced plungers of said multiple and individual punch cages and with said key bar being arranged to be directly operated by said presser bar so as to operate the respective plungers engaged by said key bar selectively and independently of other punch cages that may remain on said base rail.

'7 In a multiple punching machine, a base rail, a ram, a plurality of punch cages slidably adjustable-along said base'rail in independently selective spaced relation to each other, certain of said punch cages having a single punch member carried thereby and certain other of said cages have ing a pair of punch members disposed at relatively short predetermined equal intervalsthereon, a key bar having a plurality of operating members fixed thereon at varying predetermined intervals,

said multiple punch cages relative to each other and permitting a preliminary sliding adjustment of intermediate single punch cages into alignment with the intermediate operating members on said bar, the operating members on said key bar being detachably engageable with the correspondingly spa'ced'gpunch members by movement of said key bar into position between said ram -and saidpunch members so as to operate selectivelyithepunch members engaged by the operating members on' sa id .key bar.

8. In amultipletool machine, a base rail, a plurality offltool-carrying. cagesadjustable along said rail, a'key bar having lugs fixed thereon and detachably 'engageable with the tools of certain of said cages, to provide fixed spacing means for the latter, and a: ram with suflicient stroke to operate selectively such tools so engaged, but insufiicient tooperate any tools not so engaged.

9. In a multiple tool machine, a base rail, a plurality of tool-carrying cages adjustable along said rail, some of said cages having a single tool and certain other of said cages having a plurality of tools disposed at predetermined spaced intervals thereon, a key bar having lugs fixed thereon and detachably engageable with the tools of certain of said single-and plural tool cages, and a ram with suflicient stroke to operate selectively such tools so engaged but insufiicient to operate any tools not so engaged.

10. In a multiple tool machine, a base rail, a plurality of tool-carrying cages adjustable along said rail, some of said cages having a single tool and certain other of said cages having a plurality of tools disposed-at predetermined spaced intervals thereon, a key bar having lugs fixed thereon at predetermined intervals, said lugs being adapted to indicate a preliminary rough setting for employing certain of said single and plural tool cages, and thereafter being detachably engageable with the tools of said certain single and plural tool cages, and a ram with suflicient stroke to operate selectively such tools so engaged by said lugs, but insuflicient to operate any tools not so engaged.

HARVEY B. LINDSAY. 

